Coast Guard responds to disabled mariner near Mayport Jetties

May 6th, 2014 · Comments Off on Coast Guard responds to disabled mariner near Mayport Jetties

MAYPORT, Fla. — Crewmembers assigned to Coast Guard Station Mayport responded to a report of a disabled vessel taking on water, Tuesday two miles north of the Mayport Jetties, in Jacksonville, Fla.

Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center were notified of the situation at approximately 2 p.m. The Station Mayport response crew was launched to assist the three mariners aboard the distressed vessel. The Coast Guard crew took pumps to the distressed vessel to begin dewatering.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the flooding is unknown.

As the weather gets warmer, the Coast Guard expects increased boating activity. Emergencies at sea can happen quickly and without warning. The Coast Guard highly recommends mariners take the time to ensure their vessels have the necessary boating safety equipment before going out to sea.

Boating safety equipment that is recommended by the Coast Guard includes a vessel safety check, which can be done by the Coast Guard Auxiliary at no cost to the mariner. For more information on vessel safety checks, visit the following link: http://cgaux.org/vsc/

The Coast Guard highly recommends the use of life jackets for mariners. Life jackets come in many shapes, styles, and colors. Some manufacturers even make life jackets for dogs. For more information on life jackets, visit the following link: http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/inflate.htm

Mariners should ensure they have functioning VHF radios aboard their vessels. Cell phones are discouraged by the Coast Guard since telecommunications signals can become weaker as a mariner goes further out to sea. The Coast Guard continually monitors VHF Channel 16 for any distress radio traffic. For more information on VHF radios, visit the following link: http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/082000a.htm

The Coast Guard also recommends mariners file a float plan with a responsible friend, family member or their local harbormaster. A float plan is a document that includes the mariner’s information, vessel information, destination, port of origin and the expected time of departure and return. In the event a mariner does not return at the pre-determined time, the Coast Guard can be notified and a search and rescue mission can be launched. To see a float plan document, visit the following link: http://www.floatplancentral.org/